DALLAS, TX – 22 Sep, 2016 – The use of natural gardening and landscaping practices that harmonize with the local flora and fauna is one of the latest construction trends that emerged in today’s environmentally-conscious times. Rather than struggle to maintain an always-green lawn, especially in an area of the country where water is a premium, more homeowners and developers have made it a priority to work with nature instead by establishing indigenous plants including trees, shrubs, grasses and groundcover. One prominent builder advocating this approach is Marcus Hiles, Dallas News frequenter, expert developer, and Chairman & CEO of Western Rim Property Services whose portfolio includes more than 15,000 luxury and upscale apartment units constructed to date.

“In diversifying our lawn plantings, we help to improve the existing wildlife habitat as well as reduce neighborhood displeasures like lawnmower noise, air and water pollution and yard waste,” says Marcus Hiles Dallas developer. “It is certainly a selling point for many customers who recognize what living in a dehydrated state such as Texas means and who prefer to live in harmony with their environment.” Every design by his company reflects this pro-environmental philosophy with additional elements like programmable thermostats, energy-efficient roofing and windows along with other high-tech tools. The abundant use of native trees helps to further cool the buildings. Western Rim Property Services planted more than 3,000 trees last year among its upmarket homes in the Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio suburbs.

When natural landscaping is properly used for homes it should require very minimal effort to maintain when compared to other options requiring no pesticides, fertilizers, or excess watering. Native plants have evolved and adapted to local conditions over thousands of years making them the ideal choice, especially over a lawn. If properly planted, they should be able to survive both winter cold and summer heat, resist pests and diseases, and flourish without soil amendments. One of the most recognized benefits in using natural landscaping is the attraction of butterflies, birds, pollinators and other wildlife.

Some of the more popular native plants in Texas natural landscaping include Salvia Farinacea (“Henry Duelberg”), which produces gorgeous purplish-blue flower spikes; “Texas Gold” columbine which is very rare in the wild and sports buttercup-yellow flowers with long, fernlike foliage; and lacey oak, a smaller tree that reaches 25-35 feet tall making it a lovely shade tree that is highly tolerant of diverse environments.

Marcus Hiles, Dallas property development authority and philanthropist, has spent more than three decades building properties that reflect his unique vision of luxury living – one that is affordable to working class Texans through upscale residential rental homes, townhomes, and apartments. As an environmental steward, he has personally donated more than 59 acres of parkland to the general public to preserve wildlife habitats and offer residents accessible green spaces. His company, Western Rim Property Services earned the National Resident Satisfaction Award Winner by Satisfacts in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Hiles is an active philanthropist, giving back to his community in his support of local schools, children’s hospitals and low-income meal programs.